apogean tide
/ˈæp.ə.dʒi.ən taɪd/
noun phrase
Origin
Ancient Greek
apogeion — distance from Earth
Overview
Meaning Now
- A tide occurring when the moon is at apogee, the point in its orbit farthest from Earth, characterized by a smaller range between high and low tides.
Literal older meaning
Tide of the point of greatest distance from Earth
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
apogean tide
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The term describes the gravitational influence of the moon on Earth's oceans. Because tidal forces are inversely proportional to the cube of the distance between the moon and Earth, the increase in distance at apogee significantly reduces the tidal range, creating a 'neap' or 'low' tide effect.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
apogeion
“far from Earth”
From apo 'away' and ge 'earth'.
- Latin
apogaeum
“apogee”
Adopted into scientific Latin.
- English, 17th century
apogee
“farthest point in orbit”
Used in astronomy.
- English, 19th century
apogean
“relating to the apogee”
Formation of adjectival derivative.
- English, modern
apogean tide
“low-range tide”
Technical term in tidal theory.
Connections
Word parts
apo-
prefix
away/off
ge
root
earth
-an
suffix
pertaining to
tide
root
periodic rise and fall of water
Related across languages
French
apogée
apogee
German
Apogäum
apogee
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Related to apogean tide
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.